Saturday 1 May 2010

Carlow Cathedral for Saint Joseph the Worker


I was bowled over, a rarity for me, by my experience of the Mass for the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker today as the venerable stones of the mother Church of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin witnessed the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, a sight that I am sure it was thought, they would never see again. It was a day for extraordinary things as the people turned out in extraordinary numbers. I stopped counting at 180 and there were plenty more beyond that. People came from Carlow, town and County, people from the Diocese of Leighlin and from the Diocese of Kildare, and further afield, turned out in strength of Faith, strength of hope and strength of voice. Time and again after Mass, they wanted to know if it was going to be celebrated again, where, how regularly. The answer, at least in this Diocese, is not an happy one... extraordinary.

Once again, we were graced with the presence and singing voice of the magnificent Miss Máire Mullarkey, who filled the cathedral vaults with the music of Heaven and led the congregation in once-familiar Gregorian Chants and traditional vernacular hymns. Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, O Salutaris, Pange Lingua, Adoremus in Aeternum rang out again in Carlow Cathedral. She rendered the Ave Verum, 'Queen of the May,' Críost Liom with consummate skill and with a reverence and discretion that seemed to fit the extraordinary nature of the day as it did the majesty of the day's Liturgical observances. A noted and professional singer we were privileged that she shared her gifts with us once again.

The celebrant was Father James Larkin of the Archdiocese of Dublin, the Metropolitan See loaning of her very self to her suffragan Diocese today. In his sermon he spoke of the dignity of work, and the tragedies of unemployment that we see in our own country. He said that in dedicating this day to St. Joseph the Church wishes us to understand that work is in God's plan that we provide for ourselves and that we fulfil ourselves in service to our families and our neighbours. He referred to the Gospel passage 'is this not the Son of Joseph the carpenter' and said that there seems to be a certain snobbery in this, as if the people asked how could a carpenter's Son have such wisdom. The answer is that, however people may set a social premium upon certain professions or kinds of work, all work has equal dignity in the eyes of God because its dignity is found in the fulfilment of our duties and of ourselves. Father Larkin spoke about the importance of devotion to Saint Joseph, a most powerful protector and patron of the Universal Church, and particularly, in this Holy Year of Priests, and since the Mass was offered for Priests, Saint Joseph's patronage of the Young Priests' Society, that helps young men to pursue their vocation to the Priesthood.

Great credit is merited by the Administrator of the Cathedral and the Cathedral staff, who were present throughout, giving every assistance and courtesy, and who made available the original Altar furnishings for today's Mass. Please God, we may speak as they do concluding the Passover celebration... Next year in Carlow!











55 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the blog and I love the Mass in the Cathedral. Congratulations and God bless you!

Virgo Potens said...

I just noticed this post as I commented on the earlier notification of this Mass. It was a most beautiful and reverent celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I feel that much grace has been gained today and that the organisers should feel justly happy that God has crowned their efforts with success.

Mark said...

A nice article, except that graph at the end. It makes no sense. Why do you rejoice in the failure of something?

Anonymous said...

This was a fantastic event. It was a fine tribute to St. Joseph.

Doc Hannon said...

Mark that's a bit of a leap to assume that anybody rejoices in failure. I don't see what evidence you have for it. Presenting the facts is not rejoicing them. I don't know everyone involved but anyone I know is not rejoicing in failure but there is massive frustration at the failure and the way that it was manufactured. I asked Tom to top and tail the post like that for a good reason. I wanted to illustrate the positive trend of the Latin Mass in the Diocese. I'd prefer to stay clear of presuming to know the motives behind people's actions especially when it would entail accusing them of a sin.

Anonymous said...

The rafters of the cathedral sang with us at the Mass and I loved the sermon. It was so spiritual and it was a great encouragement for the SJYPS. When will the next one take place?

Ginnie Taylor

Anonymous said...

I really loved the Mass yesterday. I want to thank the young lady who sang so beautifully. It was really amazing. She really deserved the flowers!

Anonymous said...

Thank you all for the great work that went into the Mass yesterday and for letting us know about it.

Donnelly's Hollow said...

Mass was beautiful and so was everything about it. Peoples faces were glowing as they came out of the Cathedral. I hope that there will be more Masses there.

Donnelly's Hollow said...

I want to say something to Mark about his comment. I dont think he is being fair to Des. Nobody is rejoicing in failure. We all worked too long and hard to make the Latin Mass in Kildare a success. I just want to ask Mark why he thinks that people are rejoicing?

Donnelly's Hollow said...

I dont even understand why he has to make that comment. Its one think if he is saying that you should never put up anything negative even if its right but then he is putting up something negative himself. I dont see any rejoicing in failure.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it wonderful to see the Cathedral look like that again. I loved to see the altar rail back again. I have sent in to join your association. Thanks and God bless! Marian Brady, Graiguecullen

Anonymous said...

When will there be a Latin Mass in Tullow?

Convenor said...

I would like to adopt the comments of Des. I don't see where is the rejoicing in the failure - and let us point out what the failure is. It is failure by people who have achieved nothing themselves except to interlope upon decades of hard work by others. Surely, if they were so intent upon taking the fruit of the work of others they might have made a better job of it. I don't see anybody rejoicing. I see them mourning the failure and the constant shadow that it casts upon all our efforts.

Let me ask you this, Mark, did these interlopers rejoice in tricking the local people? Do they rejoice in spoiling the efforts of others? Do you?

Where is God to be found in this kind of cheating? Where is grace gained by this kind of trickery?

Another prediction I will make to you. A happy success in Carlow yesterday is already leading a few gentle souls to plot to 'steal' the pilgrimage, just as they tried to do with the handful of Ecclesia Dei - Ireland pilgrimages. That is the high-mindedness of these people... stealing pilgrimages, as if they are a limited commodity, or as if the grace is a piece of metal that can be stolen by the organisers.

And here is a promise, Mark. Just as with the Mass in Newbridge, we will be happy to work with anybody who wants to work with us in organising a Latin Mass. Just as we would have done in Newbridge, we will gladly step aside if asked and find some other good work to do elsewhere.

However, let us see if I'm right, that these fine Christian folk would rather thieve than thrive - and accuse others of rejoicing in their own failure.

Mark said...

Donnelly's Hollow:

It just doesn't make sense to display the second trend-line in the chart. Every single time I see a chart I groan, because it's never to show success, but always to show poor numbers.

Anonymous said...

It was so good to hear the benediction hymns again. I always said the church hasn't been the same since benediction went but I didn't think I'd ever see the day when they had it again in Carlow. We really raised the roof with the credo too. We used to sing all the parts of the Mass in school and everyone knew them. My daughter and grandaughter came with me and they couldnt believe that we had lost all the beautiful hymns and vestments and the way the altar was and how the priest and the servers were so reverend. Miss Mullarkey was beautiful. I prayed for you all at Mass today and I prayed that ye have another Mass and benediction soon. Thanks so much for bringing my dream true. Thanks be to God for all the good people.

Doc Hannon said...

Mark, you may groan at the graph but we groan at the numbers. That's no reason to accuse people of rejoicing in evil. I'm not saying that telling the absolute truth is obligatory but I don't see the problem with telling the truth.

My recollection is that the upward trends are shown just as clearly as the downward ones and there have been ups and downs in both lines. I think you should just get over the fact that people from the Diocese have a legitimate interest in the progress of the TLM in their own Diocese. It doesn't take a graph on this blog to tell people about the failure of the coup in Ballymany (or Ballimany as the FSSP like to refer to it). The dogs on every street know it.

That said, I think you should take a step back from accusing people of rejoicing in evil or claiming to judge their motives. The view I take is that you can judge actions and results but leave reading souls to God.

Anonymous said...

It was a great tribute to St. Joseph yesterday. You did him proud. Is there a bus from Carlow to Holy Cross next Saturday?

Doc Hannon said...

I don't know of any special bus travelling to Holy Cross Abbey for the Traditional Latin Mass next Saturday. To a previous poster, there are efforts by parishioners in Carlow to have a regular Traditional Latin Mass there. We made sure to let them know about the Mass in the Cathedral but they weren't in a position to help. That isn't to say that we won't help if they ask for our help and ABOVE ALL we will do out best not to hamper their efforts (and help in any way we can, if we can).

Cousin Vinnie said...

What is this post about? a chart or a Mass? Sounds like it was a massive success. What are you guys about?

Jim'll Fix It! said...

The old Latin Mass is back on the march. It was a great day. I was sorry that I wasn't about to say what I thought of the Priest and servers and the organist and soloist. Everyone deserved a medal.

Anonymous said...

THank you for bringing back the Latin Mass to our cathedral. Mary S

Quis ut Deus said...

congragulations and praise God!

Fitzy said...

It was a pity that Bishop Moriarity wasn't there. The empty throne was a sad thing to see. I'm sure he would have loved to see the Latin back in the Cathedral. He is a great pastor who was always working for his people and we will miss him.

et Al said...

Get it together guys! Look at that increase! Result!

Bagenal Harvey said...

As the author said, this is the Rite for which this Cathedral was built and it deserves a place on the regular schedule of the Cathedral, not merely once or once a year. Your Association is doing trojan work for this excellent cause.

CPK said...

Pity it couldn't have been celebration on the main altar. What is the screen behind? The numbers are very good. Good to see Ireland still keeping the faith! St. Conleth, pray for us.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the comments about how beautiful it all was. I met people who are still talking about it. I just cant get over how lovely it all was.

Stephen R said...

Sticking with the graph I think that you have seriously underestimated the numbers. I saw at least 200 and probably nearer to 250. They were of all ages and all were following intently. Its a pity that the red booklets ran out but I dont suppose you could foresee that many people coming. I also think that they must have come from across the Diocese. It was a great atmosphere and everything was so well presented and easy to follow. I was really impressed with the announcement of the ordinary Mass times and the Latin Masses in Kilkenny and Tipperary. It shows the right spirit. Thank you all for your good offices. I will send in my subscription soon and I hope that you will let me know when the next Mass is to take place.

Stephen R
Graiguecullen

Anonymous said...

simply wonderful

Anonymous said...

This Mass was extremely reverend and beautiful. The music was great and the sermon was one of the best that I've ever heard. I was very impressed by the spiritual content that was also incredibly practical in terms of how we should live our lives in keeping with our dignity as children of God who must work for our sustainance and to serve others. I would hope that this will not be a once off event. God bless you all.

Anonymous said...

These pictures are absolutely beautiful. Well done to the man who took them and who managed to play the organ so well. Pity the big organ wasn't back in time. That would really have raised the roof. I didn't really follow all that was going on but I though it was a really special time and I found myself very close to God and to St. Joseph. I was talking to a few friends the other day after Mass and they also thought it was a deeply spiritual experience.

Thank you all for the gift of this Mass.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Ferris

JTS said...

I'm sorry that I couldn't make it but the word in St. Kevin's on Sunday was very favourable. Whatever you did worked brilliantly. Perhaps a lesson to be learned by others who could do better than groaning about the mere facts. Congratulations to all for their efforts and thank God for the success. Please God many graces will flow from this for all in the Diocese.

Anonymous said...

This was a great day for Carlow. I'm so glad that the people turned out in such numbers to support it. Thank God for the Priest who said the Mass. He was great and his sermon was first class. Thank God for the men who served Mass. It was so beautiful to see the old ways back again. Thank God for the musicians and the singer who was really beautiful. Thank God for everyone who helped and who came and thank God for the weather and the day that was in it. Thank God for the Mass and for St Joseph!

Anonymous said...

great how the vestments matched the yellow/white decor ;-)

Quis ut Deus said...

Yea. Now that you say it the vestments match. Good one! Just not sure about some of the interior elements. The screen behind the old altar seems to be obscuring a find stained glass window.

Rad Trad said...

Well done!! I couldn't make it but by all reports this pilgrimage was a resounding success.
Did anyone take any video foootage? Perhaps it could be something to think about for the next time?

Convenor said...

Thanks to everyone for their kind words. There is a small silent video clip on the post. Personally, I'd be a little dubious about recording the sermon - and a little ignorant about how to put it online anyway - but the music (and I'm not thinking of my own small part in it) would be well worth recording.

Anonymous said...

I cant find the date of your next mass anywhere

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the Mass in Carlow and thank you for your beautiful blog.

Convenor said...

The reason that you can't find a date for our next Mass is that there isn't one (yet, D.V.).

To date, and I'm working from memory, we have been refused or ignored seven requests for a single Mass to seven Parishes in the Diocese (January to April, 2010) as well as having been refused permission for a Mass on five first Saturdays (June - October, 2010) by a religious house in the Diocese.

We have not yet received a reply in respect of a further six requests for a single Mass in six other Parishes in the Diocese (June - November, 2010).

By the time that the third anniversary of Summorum Pontificum comes around, it is likely that two thirds of the Parishes in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin will have received a request for at least a single Mass in the Extraordinary Form (and we know of eight Parishes where groups have asked for Sunday and Holyday provision). Probably more than half the Parishes in the Diocese will have refused permission for even a single Mass and all eight Parishes requested to do so in the Diocese will have refused a Sunday and Holyday provision.

One religious house in the Diocese refused permission for a single Mass in their Public Church and another has refused two requests for a series of Masses - they try their luck every time a new Prior is appointed.

Sadly, that is the reality in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. You might consult my post of 'How Long, O Lord, How Long?' in December, 2009.

God bless you!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a realy special occasion

Anonymous said...

I am not at all sure that the memories of the struggle to preserve the physical heritage of Carlow Cathedral has been swept aside merely by a single Mass in the Traditional Form. However, it is certainly a good beginning to remind the iconoclasts of the value of the shared heritage of Catholics.

JSB

Anonymous said...

Well done on a job extremely well done. How do you follow this?

Fitzy said...

I was here on the day. It was a day to remember. Thank you for bringing back the Latin Mass to the locality. Any chance of one in Athy? Mark F

Anonymous said...

I haven't been to a Latin Mass in about forty years. I don't know why it was ever abolished. I hope there will be another soon.

Geneviève said...

That is quite a mountain to have climbed. Well done to all concerned. Thanks be to St. Joseph!

Anonymous said...

The Mass in Carlow Cathedral was a historic event. Thanks be to God.

Anonymous said...

Can someone help me? I want to have a Latin Mass in my parish. How do I do this?

Random Thinker said...

I really meant to go but I just couldn't manage it on the day. The report in Christus Regnat was really lovely. The pictures are great. Contratulations to you all.

Rathlin Child said...

I was at both Masses that morning in the Cathedral. They had a 10 am Mass as well. The numbers just didn't compare. It was a really moving experience to see a Cathedral full at mid morning for the Mass of the Ages.

Anonymous said...

Well done! Beautiful Mass!

Virgo Potens said...

I think the comments that followed my own have shown the great graces that flowed from this splendid demonstration of faith.

Quis ut Deus said...

Impressive comments trail. I jumped back in to see how it went. Obviously made an impact. Blessings!

Little Al said...

This looks a really intersting place to visit.